2018 Cold Springs Wild Horse Gather
Purpose of Gather:
Our overall goal is for the range to achieve or maintain a thriving natural ecological balance. Heavy to severe wild horse grazing jeopardizes the health of rangelands, wetlands, wildlife habitats, and ultimately animal health and condition.
Details of Gather:
The Cold Springs Herd Management Area is located near Juntura, Ore., in central Malheur County. The Appropriate Management Level (AML) – the number of horses the range can sustainably support in conjunction with other animals and resource uses – for this area is 75 to 150 horses and the current population is 190.
An estimated 180 horses will be gathered. Of those, 60-75 will be released back to the HMA in order to maintain a diverse age structure and sex ratio. Additionally, released horses will be selected to preserve herd characteristics, specifically common colors of grey, sorrel, buckskins bay, brown, black and red roan. Maximum effort will be undertaken to return released horses to the same general area they were gathered.
Fertility control treatments will be implemented for this gather because of the need to reduce population growth. Approximately 37 mares that are two years of age or older will be returned to the HMA after receiving PZP fertility treatment. After the gather, approximately 75 horses will remain on the HMA.
Public Observation:
Any other information or notices, and daily gather reports, will be shared on this page.
Adoption Information:
Animals selected for removal from the range are transported to Oregon's Wild Horse Corral Facility in Hines to be prepared for adoption. For viewing, the public may visit the Corral Facility anytime between regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Federal holidays may fall during the regular work week. We recommend calling ahead to ensure the facility will be open during your visit.
Background:
This herd originated from the offspring of horses that escaped from homesteaders, ranchers, and farmers in the area. In the early 1970’s, wild horses within the Cold Springs HMA were predominantly grays and draft type. White, blue roan and bays were also found, with most showing draft breed characteristics. Adult horses in the HMA weigh an average of 950 to 1250 pounds and stand between 14.2 and 16.0 hands, with some stallions being slightly larger. Stallions from other herds with similar characteristics have been periodically introduced into this HMA to help ensure genetic diversity. This was especially important after a large dieoff that occurred in the winter of 1992-93 due to extremely deep snowpack and lack of access to winter feed. Genetic analysis indicates that genetic variability within the Cold Springs HMA is high and the herd appears to be of mixed origins from North American breeds.
The HMA is located approximately 25 miles southwest of Harper, Oregon near Star Mountain. It is bordered on the west side by the Rooster Combs.
- Daily Gather Reports
Gather Status
Gather concluded.
Animals Gathered
134
Animals Returned to Home Range
1
Animal Deaths*
2
*Includes non-gather related deaths.
Scroll to the bottom of this gather page for detailed “Daily Gather Reports."